The same reason they had such an easy ride to 16-0, they play in the pathetic AFC East. When the Bears went to the Super Bowl in 2006, they had the easiest schedule in the league that year I believe even though they had the first or second best record in the NFC the year before. The NFC Central/North was just plain terrible. But remember, although the Patriots have the easiest schedule based on last season's record, many teams improve from season to season which could mean they have a much tough schedule than was originally thought.